Roberto Preatoni arrested in Italy

Submitted by Kai on Tue, 2007-11-06 19:52.

Calling all security bloggers! We need to look into the Roberto case! 

Background:

I read the news about Roberto Preatoni over at the Sunbelt blog today. And I just have to make some comments. 

Alex has a nice writeup on the background on Roberto. And he use the background as proof that Roberto is clean. 

Let us take a look at the news side of things:

  • Roberto is arrested by Italian police on spy charges
  • He was hired by Telecom Italy to test their security
  • His team decided to sip from the bowl, and 4 where arrested and charged with spy charges in January 2007 (they intercepted and hacked into communication of some quite prominent people)
  • Italy is a country where media, politics, power and criminals/mafia walks hand-in-hand

In other words, if you mess things up, or create enemies at the wrong places, you are likely to get arrested. And if arrested, your rights are not the best anymore.

Anyway. Even in Italy, the police do follow rules, and they are not likely to fabricate evidence. Thus, Roberto most likely made a mistake - or did what they are accusing him of.

The challenge for the rest of us now is to filter out the relevant information. And keep the good work of Roberto alive. And hope he is wrongly accused and soon to be released. 

Just imagine how it would be to be in his shoes now. Working as he was for the good side (no evidence exists that he worked for the foes, as far as I know).

And suddenly he gets arrested. 

Let us help Roberto back out of jail. Together, there are many security bloggers out there - I bet some of you even know Roberto. Let us find out what is going on, and how we can help him!

Welcome back, Roberto!

Submitted by Kai on Mon, 2008-03-24 15:10.
Welcome back, Roberto!

Well, I am back. Actually I

Submitted by Roberto Preatoni (not verified) on Tue, 2008-03-11 01:02.
Well, I am back. Actually I was freed by the Court of Freedom 23 days after my arrest. Anyway, thanks for the nice post on this blog. I am alive and kicking!

Dear anonymous

Submitted by Kai on Fri, 2007-11-16 12:55.

As I am certain you understand, I do have doubts about your information. The reason is simply because you choose to be anonymous, and leave no contact information.

Obviously, if you have any information pointing in this direction you suggest, that would be of utmost interest to me - and I would think to the rest of the security community. So please get in touch using the contact pages if you can back up your allegations.

just a criminal

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 2007-11-16 12:08.
In Italy we all know Roberto (and his family). No one is surprised... only Ghioni, Melloni, Pompili and all his accomplices. "tomino" probably is the next! LOL ;) If you want more info, contact me

of course, we hope all, he

Submitted by tomino (not verified) on Wed, 2007-11-07 22:48.
of course, we hope all, he will get out of jail soon. I read news now that stating he denied accusations against him.

Hi Tomino, I do not know

Submitted by Kai on Wed, 2007-11-07 20:48.
Hi Tomino, I do not know Roberto, but it would surprise me if a guy with his profile actually did work for the other side.
The challenge for many of us is to understand what is going on, and digesting the newspapers - as we do not know the Italian culture nor speak Italian.
Let's hope he gets out again soon :)

i know Roberto personally

Submitted by tomino (not verified) on Wed, 2007-11-07 20:32.
i know Roberto personally and i do not believe he performed something that could be considered as a crime. anyway, this has to do something with Telecom Italia issue and probably some shit was falling also on him.

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